Graphic Design Career Technology class gives youth new opportunities

The Career and Technology Education (CTE) programs are off to a great start at Hayden High School. The CTE programs give our youth the exciting opportunities to obtain additional credits towards college in a variety of professions. The Graphic Design class by Michael Smith has 13 students they all seem to be full of life, fun, art and adventure. In spite of the small enrollment Hayden-Winkelman Unified School District continues to offer classes like Graphic Design.

Students are required as freshmen to take a career exploration class. As sophomores they need to select one of the five CTE programs offered or one of the courses offered in Globe. The five CTE programs Hayden available are early Childhood Education, Marketing/Business, Construction Technologies/Cabinetmaking, Education professions or Art Education. The CTE programs offered in Globe are Medical Assistant, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Fire Science, Welding Technologies, Law Enforcement, Graphic Design or Pre-Engineering Geology (in Superior).

When asked about taking the Graphic Design class Guage Neal said, “It is fun and looks good on my resume.” One of the first projects the students were to take two drawings and combine them to into one drawing. Guage was working on a composite drawing of wolf. This summer Guage did take an art class at Central Arizona College and looks forward to the Graphic Design class he is currently enrolled in. Nick Dominguez was helping Ramon Rivera with his drawing of the Nike swoosh. Chyanne Slate said, “I suggest taking the graphic art class because you will become a better artist and it is fun.”

The Graphic Design teacher Michael Smith said, “There are a lot of computer skills required in the graphic design field and they have computers on order that should be at the school soon.” Graphic Designing is a competitive field and this is an excellent opportunity for the students to get a head start.